Sebastián (A05) introduced his work on the mechanical role of Slc35a2 using Xenopus tadpoles, with a focus on the human malformation MOGHE.
The seminar sparked engaging discussions and opened up perspectives for future collaborations across projects!
Sophia (A02) presented her research on ECM-related changes in epileptic brain malformations, highlighting the role of perineuronal nets. She also shared insights from proteomic profiling of human tissue in temporal lobe epilepsy.
🧠Doctoral Researchers' Seminar - March 26, 2026
EBM (post)doctoral researchers came together at the MPZPM Erlangen to share and discuss current work on brain malformations from molecular and mechanical perspectives.
These findings point towards a potential inflammatory-ECM-synaptic axis in TLE epileptogenesis and can be read here: www.frontiersin.org/journals/mol...
Check out this new EBM #openaccess publication on temporal lobe epilepsy in which region-specific proteomic analysis revealed pronounced neuroinflammatory and extracellular matrix remodeling in the sclerotic hippocampus, accompanied by synaptic alterations in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
4th EBM Retreat - Feb 10-11, 2026
EBM members spent two days in Waischenfeld sharing research updates, discussing project, and connecting across teams. Between talks and scientific programm, there was time for archery, table tennis, and casual chats around the campfire.
đź“… 23.03.2026
⏰ 4:00 PM (GMT+1)
đź’» Online via Zoom
đź“© To receive the Zoom link, contact EBM coordinator Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf at andrea.dakkouri@fau.de
Want to stay updated on future talks? Sign up for our mailing list for regular invitations and Zoom links: lists.fau.de/cgi-bin/list...
🧠EBM Virtual Brain Talk
On March 23, 2026, we welcome Elijah Van Houten (CNRS, ICube Laboratory, Strasbourg) for an online talk: "Characterizing Brain Mechanics from Cardiac Pressure Pulsations: A Look at Viscoelastic and Poroelastic Interpretations."
How do growing neurons find their way through the brain’s soft tissue?
In project C05, we explore how axons sense and generate forces in brain-like 3-D matrices.
Video by: Lars Bischof
The seminar offered exciting scientific insights and sparked lively discussions across projects.
Pictures by: Yashasavi Verma
Jan Hinrichsen (A01) shared progress in in silico modelling of cortical malformations, demonstrating how cell density relates to tissue stiffness in different pathological contexts and how computational models may predict developmental malformations.
On January 23, 2026, EBM (post-)doctoral researchers came together for a doctoral seminar sharing latest research results from the CRC.
Konstantin Hein (A07) presented his work on Lamin B1, highlighting its key role in stress-induced mechanical changes and tissue architecture.
Organ music by Bach, Pärt, Glass, and Gubaidulina meets scientific insights and fascinating brain visualizations.
An inspiring dialogue between music, science, and art - come join us for an unforgettable journey into the brain!
More information at speinshart.ai/de/pulse/e/t...
🧠🎶 "Das Gehirn - Musikalische Erkundungen!"
Following the great success of our 2024 event in Erlangen, EBM invites you on March 6, 2026 (7:00 p.m.) to a unique multimedia event at the Monastery Church Maria Immaculata in Speinshart.
Images by: Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf
The evening was full of good vibes: delicious snacks and drinks, cozy lighting, and a carefully curated playlist by our very own DJ Alex Greiner. Our youngest EBM members had a blast too, keeping busy and entertained throughout the night.
A perfect way to kick off the exciting year ahead!
After an inspiring "Storytelling & Science" workshop, the EBM community came together for their Annual New Year Celebration! 🎉
Attendees even created their own short scientific stories, sparking curiosity and discussion in a fun, hands-on way. The workshop was inspiring, highly engaging, and full of ideas for communicating science effectively!
Images by: Andrea Dakkouri-Baldauf
Over three hours, participants learned how to make science informative, engaging, and memorable.
• Vonnegut’s Shapes of Stories — mapping the rise and fall of fortune to design compelling narratives.
• Chekhov’s Gun — ensuring every detail introduced plays a meaningful role later in the story.
✨ Impressions from our “Storytelling & Science” Workshop! ✨
On Jan 23, EBM members had the pleasure of attending a special workshop with Renaud Pourpre (The Lonely Pipette), who joined us all the way from Oxford.
In cooperation with project X03, we investigated their cellular behavior in different matrices.
Cellular differentiation in brain tissue-mimicking matrices: C04 aims at using cell types with the same embryonic origin but distinct differentiation than brain cells, melanocytes and melanoma cells, to analyze the role of mechanics on cellular differentiation and de-differentiation.
On Nov 25, EBM PhD students got a peek into MRE research!
Guillaume Flé talked about how MRI sampling techniques impact MRE accuracy and speed. Michael Fedders shared insights on phase unwrapping for MRE data.
A great seminar full of discussion and inspiration!
With a short introduction by Lucas Hoffmann and Friedrich Paulsen — plus gingerbread and mulled wine — the group moved on to hands-on work in the histology lab, identifying CNS regions, stains, and cell types
Thanks to the organizers for this interesting workshop!
At the EBM Harmonization Workshop on Dec 17, participants explored how to read histological sections of the human CNS.
✨Happy New Year from the EBM community! ✨
Thank you to all our members and partners for a year of inspiring research, collaboration, and exchange. We wish you a successful, healthy, and innovative year ahead and look forward to continuing our work together in 2026.
In project C02, cortical neurons are infected with a virus expressing green fluorescent protein and grown on hydrogels with different mechanical properties. The morphology of dendritic spines is then quantified to monitor the effect of mechanics on neuronal plasticity.
Joint lab shadowing at FAU’s Institute of Continuum Mechanics and Biomechanics 🔬
Michael Tranchina (A04), Oskar Neumann (B01), and Majahonkhe Shabangu (UCT) worked together on mechanical testing of mature brain organoids and first mapping trials on spheroids. Great insights for CRC 1540!
